Accelerator pedal module

ABSTRACT

In transmitters actuated by the driver&#39;s foot, which are for controlling the output of a driving engine, a friction element is provided for generating a friction hysteresis for the purpose of achieving a comfortable driving feel.  
     In the accelerator pedal module ( 1 ) proposed here, the support of the pedal lever ( 3 ) is completely independent of the generation of the friction hysteresis. This results in a particularly favorable, especially stable, and play-free support of the pedal lever ( 3 ), and the brake insert ( 10 ) for generating the friction hysteresis is particularly easy to manufacture.  
     The accelerator pedal module is provided for controlling the output of a driving engine of a vehicle.

PRIOR ART

[0001] The invention is based on an accelerator pedal module asgenerically defined by the preamble to claim 1 and an accelerator pedalmodule as generically defined by the preamble to claim 12.

[0002] The Japanese patent application no. 60-99729 (JP-A-60-99729) hasdisclosed an accelerator pedal module with a pedal lever pivotablysupported on a support structure, with a sensor which detects an angularposition of the pedal lever and emits a corresponding electrical signal,and with a restoring spring system for restoring the pedal lever to astarting position. A bearing pin can be used to support the pedal leverin a very favorable, precise, and play-free manner on the supportstructure connected to a vehicle body.

[0003] Based on the accelerator pedal disclosed in JP-A-60-99729, theobject of the invention is to achieve the fact that the pedal lever isprecisely supported and that a friction hysteresis occurs when the pedallever is actuated, where this friction hysteresis should be achievedwith simple means and should be precisely definable and in addition, thefriction hysteresis should increase with increasing actuation of thepedal lever.

[0004] The patent U.S. Pat. No. 5,408,899 has disclosed a pedalapparatus in which a number of spacers are provided for the purpose ofgenerating friction and the coils of restoring springs are supported onthe spacers. A movement of the pedal lever produces relative movementsbetween the spacers and the restoring springs. As a result, friction isproduced between the spacers and the bearing pin, among the variousspacers, and also between the spacers and the restoring springs. In thisvery expensive design, it is disadvantageous that the friction dependsvery heavily on dimensional tolerances of the components and anotherdisadvantage is the friction between the spacers and the restoringsprings because this results in the fact that the restoring springs,which represent a safety-related component, fail particularly easilywith extended use. Another disadvantage is that the friction is notdirectly related to the restoring force.

[0005] The international patent application WO 97/12780 has disclosed anaccelerator pedal module in which a semicircle with a relatively largeradius is provided on the pedal lever and the support structure has abearing shell in which the semicircle of the pedal lever is supported.The radius of the semicircle and the bearing shell must be relativelylarge in order to achieve the desired friction. In this design, it isdisadvantageous that the support of the pedal lever and the generationof the desired friction occur directly in the same place. Because thefriction surface provided between the semicircle and the bearing shellserves not only to produce the friction force but also to support thepedal lever, very high demands must be placed on the form precision aswell as the surface quality and concentricity of the friction surface.In other words, because the support location is used not only to supportthe pedal lever but also to generate the friction, the structural designmust take into account not only support considerations but alsofrictional considerations. Compromises must therefore be made, as aresult of which the entire structure is somewhat unstable and the pedallever is not supported in a particularly precise manner, which can bedetected when the electrical signal is generated at high-resolution. Inaddition, it is quite expensive to produce the known accelerator pedalmodule.

[0006] The German patent application DE 44 26 549 A1 has disclosed anaccelerator pedal module in which the pedal lever is supported in twoshort shell arcs provided with a friction lining. The shell arcs have arelatively large diameter in order to achieve a sufficient friction.Because of the large diameter of the shell arcs and because the shellarcs are relatively short, it must be concluded that in a pedal leversupport of this kind, the support of the pedal lever is quite unstable.As a result, a precise electrical signal can hardly be expected withthis accelerator pedal module.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The accelerator pedal module according to the invention, with thecharacterizing features of claim 1 or the characterizing features ofclaim 12, has the advantage over the prior art that for a low cost, aprecise support of the pedal lever on the support structure can beachieved and a friction force can be achieved that depends on theactuated pivot angle of the pedal lever. A particular advantage is thatthe generation of the friction force is achieved by simple means. It isparticularly advantageous that the pedal lever support and the frictionforce generation are achieved by mutually independent means. The meansfor supporting the pedal lever and the means for generating the frictionforce can each be optimally designed for their respective purposes. As aresult, a high degree of precision can be achieved in the support of thepedal lever. The precise support of the pedal lever has the advantagethat a precise electrical signal can be produced that indicates theposition of the pedal lever.

[0008] Advantageous modifications and improvements of the acceleratorpedal module disclosed in the main claim are possible through the stepstaken in the dependent claims.

[0009] If two friction surfaces and two friction elements are provided,then this has the advantage that the support of the pedal lever in thevicinity of the support location can be embodied as essentiallysymmetrical, as a result of which the precision in the support of thepedal lever can be improved even further. In particular, the twofriction surfaces and friction elements can be affixed symmetricallywith regard to the longitudinal direction of the pedal lever.

[0010] The crossbar can be used to connect the two friction elements toeach other in a very simple manner and the restoring spring system canact on the crossbar. As a result, the entire design is very simple and auniform distribution of the force of the restoring spring system ontothe two friction elements can be advantageously achieved.

[0011] The coupling lever can advantageously transfer the force of therestoring spring system onto the friction element.

[0012] If the coupling lever is connected to the support structure in aone-piece, articulating fashion, then this has the advantage that fewercomponents have to be assembled.

[0013] If the coupling lever is connected to the friction element in aone-piece, articulating fashion, then this has the advantage that thefriction element and the coupling lever can be produced together andfewer components have to be assembled during assembly of the acceleratorpedal module.

DRAWINGS

[0014] Preferably selected, particularly advantageous exemplaryembodiments of the invention are shown in a simplified fashion in thedrawings and will be explained in detail in the subsequent description.

[0015]FIG. 1 shows a longitudinal section through a first exemplaryembodiment,

[0016]FIG. 2 shows a detail of the first exemplary embodiment,

[0017]FIG. 3 shows a cross section through the first exemplaryembodiment,

[0018]FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section through a second exemplaryembodiment,

[0019]FIG. 5 shows details of the second exemplary embodiment,

[0020]FIG. 6 shows a partial section through the second exemplaryembodiment,

[0021]FIG. 7 shows a partial section through a third exemplaryembodiment,

[0022]FIG. 8 shows a partial section through a fourth exemplaryembodiment,

[0023]FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section through a fifth exemplaryembodiment, and

[0024]FIG. 10 is a graph that shows the dependence of the actuationforce F on the actuation path s of the pedal lever.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The accelerator pedal module 1 embodied according to theinvention can be used to control different driving engines. For example,the drive engine is an Otto engine whose throttle valve is adjusted witha servomotor. In this instance, the accelerator pedal module is used totransmit electrical signals which are supplied to the servomotor thatadjusts the throttle valve. However, the driving engine can also be adiesel engine or an electric motor, for example; in these cases as well,electrical signals are emitted by the accelerator pedal module 1 which,appropriately transformed, control the output but of the driving engine.

[0026] The accelerator pedal module 1 is preferably fastened to a partof the vehicle directly in the vehicle driver's range of action. Thepedal lever 3 of the accelerator pedal module 1 is frequently alsoreferred to as the gas pedal.

[0027] In all the figures, parts which are the same or function in thesame manner are provided with the same reference numerals. Provided thatnothing to the contrary is mentioned or shown in the drawings, thatwhich is mentioned in conjunction with one of the figures and shown init also applies to the other exemplary embodiments. Provided thatnothing to the contrary is stated in the explanations, the details ofthe different exemplary embodiments can be combined with one another.

[0028]FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show a preferably selected, particularlyadvantageous first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 shows a longitudinalsection through the accelerator pedal module 1. The sectional plane andviewing direction shown in FIG. 1 is labeled I-I in FIG. 3. FIG. 2 showsthe brake insert 10 of the accelerator pedal module 1 before itsinstallation into the accelerator pedal module 1. FIG. 3 shows a crosssection through the accelerator pedal module 1. The cutting plane andviewing direction shown in FIG. 3 are labeled III-III in FIG. 1.

[0029] The accelerator pedal module 1 includes a support structure 2 anda pedal lever 3. The support structure 2 is embodied in the form of ahousing. The support structure 2 has a bottom 2 a, a back 2 b, a top 2c, a first side wall 2 d, a second side wall 2 e, and an opening 2 f.The pedal lever 3 has a pedal plate 3 a, a shaft 3 b, and a bearingregion 3 c. Lateral to the longitudinal direction of the pedal lever 3,the bearing region 3 c has a first projection 3 d and a secondprojection 3 e that protrude laterally beyond the bearing region 3 c. Inthe bearing region 3 c of the pedal lever 3, there is a bore 3 g; and ahousing bore 2 g extends through the side walls 2 d, 2 e of the supportstructure 2. A bearing pin 6 is inserted into the housing bore 2 g ofthe support structure 2 and the bore 3 g of the pedal lever 3. Thebearing pin 6 is inserted with a press-fit into the bearing region 3 cof the pedal lever 3 and is inserted with a slight press-fit into thefirst side wall 2 d and into the second side wall 2 e of the supportstructure 2. The bearing pin 6 assures that the pedal lever 3 issupported so that it can pivot on the support structure 2 in a preciseand exact manner without wobbling.

[0030] The support structure 2 is fastened to a body part 8 of a motorvehicle. The bearing region 3 c of the pedal lever 3 is disposed insidethe housing-like support structure 2. The shaft 3 b of the pedal lever 3protrudes out of the support structure 2 through the opening 2 f. Thepedal plate 3 a is disposed at the protruding end of the shaft 3 b.

[0031] A brake insert 10 is provided in the accelerator pedal module 1.The brake insert 10 is shown separately in an oblique view in FIG. 2.

[0032] In the selected exemplary embodiment for FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, thebrake insert 10 is essentially comprised of a first friction element 11,a second friction element 12, and a crossbar 14. The friction element 11has a bottom linkage point 11 a, a friction region 11 b, and aspring-side linkage point 11 c. The friction region 11 b is disposedapproximately half the distance between the two linkage points 11 a and11 c. The second friction element 12 is embodied as the mirror image ofthe friction element 11 and works in parallel with the friction element11. The second friction element 12 has a bottom linkage point 12 a, afriction region 12 b, and a spring-side linkage point 12 c. The secondfriction region 12 b is disposed approximately half the distance betweenthe two linkage points 12 a and 12 c. The crossbar 14 connects thespring-side linkage point 11 c of the friction element 11 to thespring-side linkage point 12 c of the second friction element 12. In thecenter, between the two friction elements 11, 12, there is a springlinkage point 16 embodied in the form of a blind bore in the crossbar14. The crossbar 14 connects the spring-side linkage point 11 c to thespring-side linkage point 12 c. As is shown particularly by FIG. 2, inthe exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the brake insert 10that includes the friction elements 11, 12 and the crossbar 14 isembodied of one piece. The entire brake insert 10 can be producedtogether in a single mold by means of injection molding.

[0033] The support structure 2 contains a support surface 18 orientedaway from the pedal lever 3.

[0034] At the projection 3 d of the pedal lever 3, there is a frictionsurface 21 concentric to the bearing pin 6; and a second frictionsurface 22 is provided on the second projection 3 e of the pedal lever3, concentric to the bearing pin 6.

[0035] The bottom linkage point 11 a of the friction element 11 isattached to the support surface 18 of the support structure 2. In otherwords, the bottom linkage point 11 a and the support surface 18 areprovided so that the friction element 11 can be suspended on the supportstructure 2 and secured by it. The friction surface 21 of the pedallever 3 points away from the bottom 2 a of the support structure 2. Thefriction region 11 b of the friction element 11 rests against thefriction surface 21 of the pedal lever 3. The bottom linkage point 11 aand the spring-side linkage point 11 c protrude beyond the frictionsurface 21. The friction surface 21 and the friction region 11 b aredisposed between the bottom linkage point 11 a and the spring-sidelinkage point 11 c.

[0036] The pedal lever 3 can be adjusted between a non-actuated startingposition R and a completely actuated end position E. The pedal lever 3is shown in its starting position R. Individual regions of the pedallever 3 are also indicated with dashed lines in FIG. 1, when the pedallever 3 is disposed in its end position E.

[0037] The accelerator pedal module 1 has a restoring spring system 24.The restoring spring system 24 has a first acting side 24 a that engagesthe pedal lever 3 and a second acting side 24 b that engages thespring-side linkage point 11 c and the spring-side linkage point 12 c ofthe two friction elements 11 and 12. A spring linkage point 26 isprovided on the pedal lever 3. The spring linkage point 26 is embodiedin the form of a blind bore and thus constitutes sufficient space forcontaining a part of the restoring spring system 24 and for guiding therestoring spring system 24. The two blind bores of the spring linkagepoints 16 and 26 are essentially flush with each other. The restoringspring system 24 has the form of a helically wound compression spring.The restoring spring system 24 can also be comprised of severalindividual springs next to one another acting in parallel. The firstacting side 24 a is disposed inside the blind bore of the spring linkagepoint 26 and the second acting side 24 b of the restoring spring system24 is disposed inside the blind bore of the spring linkage point 16.

[0038] The restoring spring system 24 presses the pedal lever 3 into itsnon-actuated starting position R.

[0039] By means of the crossbar 14 and by means of the spring-sidelinkage point 11 c, the second acting side 24 b of the restoring springsystem 24 presses the friction region 11 b of the friction element 11against the friction surface 21 provided on the pedal lever 3. Thesupport surface 18 of the support structure 2 secures the bottom linkagepoint 11 a of the friction element 11 with a force which is essentiallyof the same magnitude as the force that the restoring spring system 24exerts on the spring-side linkage point 11 c. The force acting on thefriction element 11 via the bottom linkage point 11 a vectorially addedto the force acting via the spring-side linkage point 11 c equals theforce with which the friction region 11 b of the friction element 11 ispressed against the friction surface 21 of the pedal lever 3. The forcewith which the friction region 11 b of the brake insert 10 pressesagainst the friction surface 21 of the pedal lever 3 when the pedallever 3 is actuated produces a friction force that opposes the movementof the pedal lever 3.

[0040]FIG. 10 shows the actuation force F as a function of theadjustment path s. The actuation force F is the force acting on thepedal plate 3 a during actuation of the pedal lever 3. When the pedallever 3 is actuated from the starting position R into the end positionE, the actuation force F is significantly greater than the actuationforce F that occurs when the pedal lever 3 is actuated from the actuatedend position E back into the starting position R. In FIG. 10, the upperdiagonal line shows the actuation force F when the pedal lever 3 isactuated from the starting position R into the end position E and thelower diagonal line shows the actuation force F when the pedal lever 3is actuated from the actuated end position E into the starting positionR.

[0041] Because the restoring spring system 24 is under less tension inthe vicinity of the starting position R and because as a result, theforce exerted by the restoring spring system 24 is less than the forceexerted by the restoring spring system 24 when the pedal lever 3 isdisposed in the actuated end position E, the friction force is lessintense when the pedal lever 3 is disposed in the vicinity of thestarting position R than when the pedal lever 3 is disposed in thevicinity of the end position E. This is also shown in FIG. 10 because,as can be inferred from FIG. 10, the distance between the upper diagonalline and the lower diagonal line is distinctly less in the vicinity ofthe starting position R than in the vicinity of the actuated endposition E. This produces a desirable, particularly comfortable footfeel for the driver during actuation of the pedal lever 3.

[0042] The brake insert 10 is embodied in the same way in the vicinityof the second friction element 12 as in the vicinity of the frictionelement 11 and the second friction element 12 acts on the pedal lever 3in the same way as the friction element 11.

[0043] A sensor 28 is connected to the support structure 2. The sensor28 has a sensor lever that is not shown. The movements of the sensorlever are coupled to the movements of the pedal lever 3. Depending onthe position of the sensor lever and pedal lever 3, the sensor 28 sendsan electrical signal to an electrical control unit that is not shown viaan electrical line that is not shown. The electrical control unit inturn controls, for example, a throttle valve that is not shown, whichcan be used to control the output of a driving engine. The sensor 28 andthe pedal lever 3 are connected, for example, in the manner extensivelydescribed and depicted in WO 97/12780.

[0044] At least in its central region, i.e. in the vicinity of thefriction region 11 b, the friction element 11 is quite flexible so thatthe friction region 11 b adapts favorably to the friction surface 21 dueto the force of the restoring spring system 24. This offers theadvantage that only very low demands have to be placed on the shapingprecision and the concentricity of the friction surface 21. In addition,only very low demands have to be placed on the manufacture and shapingprecision of the friction element 11. This has the advantage that thefriction surfaces 21 and 22 can be manufactured at a very low cost. Thefriction elements 11 and 12 can also be produced very simply, with avery simple manufacturing process. As a result, the pedal lever 3 andalso the brake insert 10 can be manufactured by means of an inexpensiveprocess, for example by means of injection molding. No subsequentfinishing work is required either for the friction surfaces 21 and 22 orfor the friction elements 11 and 12.

[0045]FIGS. 3, 4, 5, and 6 show a second preferably selected,particularly advantageous exemplary embodiment.

[0046]FIG. 3 applies to both the first exemplary embodiment and thesecond exemplary embodiment. The cutting plane shown in FIG. 3 is alsolabeled III-III in FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section throughthe accelerator pedal module 1. The cutting plane shown in FIG. 4 islabeled I-I in FIG. 3 and is labeled IV-IV in FIG. 6. FIG. 5 shows adetail of the brake insert 10 from the second exemplary embodiment. FIG.6 shows a partial section through the brake pedal module 1. The cuttingplane and viewing direction shown in FIG. 6 is labeled VI-VI in FIG. 4.

[0047] By contrast to the brake insert 10 shown in FIG. 2, the brakeinsert 10 of the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 5 is notembodied of one piece, but rather the brake insert 10 is assembled bysnapping together the friction element 11, the second friction element12, and the crossbar 14.

[0048] In the vicinity of the bottom linkage points 11 a and 12 a, thebrake insert 10 in the second exemplary embodiment is connected to thesupport structure 2 in the same way as in the first exemplaryembodiment.

[0049] In the second exemplary embodiment, the crossbar 14 has a steppedthrough opening 14 a and likewise stepped through opening 14 b. In thecourse of the through opening 14 a, there is a support surface 30. Thesupport surface 30 is oriented away from the pedal lever 3. Thespring-side linkage point 11 c of the friction element 11 ishook-shaped. The linkage point 11 c is dimensioned so that it can bepressed into the through opening 14 a with a slight pressure. It ispractically impossible to remove the spring-side linkage point 11 c fromthe through opening 14 a because the hook-shaped spring-side linkagepoint 11 c is supported against the support surface 30 provided on thecrossbar 14. The second friction element 12 is connected to the crossbar14 in the same manner as the friction element 11.

[0050] The brake insert 10 can be assembled by simply snapping togetherthe very easy-to-produce friction elements 11, 12 and the crossbar 14.

[0051]FIG. 7 shows a partial section through a third preferablyselected, particularly advantageous exemplary embodiment.

[0052] The cutting plane shown in FIG. 7 corresponds approximately tothe cutting plane in the second exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 6.Details not shown in FIG. 7 essentially correspond to the detailsexplained in conjunction with the first and second exemplaryembodiments.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, a coupling lever 33is formed onto the support structure 2. The coupling lever 33 can beproduced along with the support structure 2 in a single mold by means ofcasting.

[0054] The coupling lever 33 is only connected to the support structure2 in a very narrow region. This produces a one-piece, articulatingconnection 35 at the narrow region between the coupling lever 33 and thesupport structure 2. The articulating connection 35 is disposed at oneend of the coupling lever 33 and at the opposite end of the couplinglever 33, the through opening 14 a is provided in the coupling lever 33.The connection 35 serves as a hinge between the coupling lever 33 andthe support structure 2. The spring-side of linkage point 11 c of thefriction element 11 is inserted into the through opening 14 a publiccoupling lever 33, as described in particular in conjunction with thesecond exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5.

[0055] The spring linkage point 16 is provided on the coupling lever 33.The restoring spring system 24 acts on the coupling lever 33 via thespring linkage point 16 and acts on the friction element 11 via thecoupling lever 33 and the spring-side linkage point 11 c. As a result,in the third exemplary embodiment as well, the restoring spring system24 presses the friction region 11 b of the friction element 11 againstthe friction surface 21 provided on the pedal lever 3.

[0056] In contrast to the first exemplary embodiment and the secondexemplary embodiment, in the third exemplary embodiment, the secondfriction element 12 is eliminated. As a result, the third exemplaryembodiment requires fewer components to be produced and assembled.

[0057] Because the second friction element 12 is eliminated in the thirdexemplary embodiment, the second friction surface 22 and the secondprojection 3 e on the pedal lever 3 can also be eliminated.

[0058]FIG. 8 shows a fourth preferably selected, particularlyadvantageous exemplary embodiment.

[0059] In contrast to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 7, in theexemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the one-piece, articulatingconnection is not provided between the coupling lever 33 and the supportstructure 2, but instead is disposed between the coupling lever 33 andthe spring-side linkage point 11 c of the friction element 11. Thisoffers the advantage that the friction element 11 and the coupling lever33 can be produced together in a single mold by means of casting and/orinjection molding.

[0060] At the end of the coupling lever 33 remote from the connection35, the coupling lever 33 is supported against the bottom 2 a of thesupport structure 2 by means of a rocker bearing 37. This assures thatthe force from the second acting side 24 b of the restoring springsystem 24 acting on the rocker arm 33 is transmitted by means of therocker arm 33 and the one-piece, articulating connection 35 onto thefriction element 11 and from the friction element 11 onto the frictionsurface 21 of the pedal lever 3.

[0061]FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section through a fifth preferablyselected, particularly advantageous exemplary embodiment.

[0062] In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the brakeinsert 10 with the friction element 11 and possibly also with the secondfriction element 12 is associated with the support structure 2.Correspondingly, the friction surface 21 is associated with the pedallever 3. When the pedal lever 3 is actuated, the friction elements 11,12 of the brake insert 10 remain stationary and the friction surface 21associated with the pedal lever 3 is moved along the stationary frictionregion 11 b, 12 b of the brake insert 10. By contrast, in the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 9, the friction surface 21 and possibly thesecond friction surface 22 are associated with the support structure 2.Consequently, the friction surface 21 and possibly the additionalfriction surface 22 remain stationary even when the pedal lever 3 isactuated. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the brake insert10 with the friction element 11 and possibly the additional frictionelement 12 is associated with the pedal lever 3. When the pedal lever 3is moved, the brake insert 10 with the friction element 11 and possiblythe additional friction element 12 moves along with the pedal lever 3.

[0063] In exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the first acting side 24a of the restoring spring system 24 presses against the stationarysupport structure 2 and the second acting side 24 b of the restoringspring system 24 presses against the crossbar 14 of the brake insert 10and consequently presses the friction region 11 b of the frictionelement 11, which moves when the pedal lever 3 in is actuated, againstthe stationary friction surface 21. The second acting side 24 b of therestoring spring system 24 acts on the pedal lever 3 by means of thecrossbar 14, the friction element 11, and the linkage point 11 a of thefriction element 11 with the pedal lever 3, and tries to move the pedallever 3 into its starting position R.

[0064] In contrast to the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8,in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the associations of thebrake device 10 and therefore of the friction elements 11 and 12 and thefriction surfaces 22 is reversed. More precisely stated, the brakedevice 10 with the friction element 11 and 12 is not associated with thesupport structure 2 but rather with the pedal lever 3. And the frictionsurfaces 21 are not associated with the pedal lever 3, but rather withthe support structure 2. All other details can be embodied in acorrespondingly adapted manner, or alternatively in the same manner asin the exemplary embodiments explained in conjunction with FIGS. 1 to 8.In order to avoid unnecessary repetition, please refer to FIGS. 1 to 8with regard to details not shown in FIG. 9.

[0065] In the selected exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 9, thebearing pin 6 is supported in the housing bore 2 g of the supportstructure 2 and in the bore 3 g of the pedal lever 3. However, it isalso possible for the bearing pin 6 to be formed directly onto the pedallever 3, protruding laterally out from it. In this instance, the bore 3g is eliminated. On the other hand, is also possible to form the bearingpin 6 directly onto the support structure 2. In this case, the housingbore 2 g is eliminated.

[0066] In the exemplary embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the frictionelements 11, 12 are clipped to the support structure 2 at the bottomlinkage points 11 a, 11 b. It is also possible for the friction elements11, 12 to be formed in one piece onto the support structure 2 at thebottom linkage points 11 a, 11 b. The same also applies to the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 9. In this instance, for example, the frictionelement 11 can be formed in one piece onto the pedal lever 3 at itsbottom linkage point 11 a.

1. An accelerator pedal module for controlling the output of the drivingengine of a motor vehicle, having a pedal lever (3) pivotably supportedon a support structure (2) by means of a bearing pin (6), having asensor (28) that detects an angle position of the pedal lever (3) andsupplies a corresponding electrical signal to a control unit, and havinga restoring spring system (24) with a first acting side (24 a) and asecond acting side (24 b), where in order to restore the pedal lever (3)into a starting position (R), the restoring spring system (24) engagesthe pedal lever (3) with the first acting side (24 a), characterized inthat the pedal lever (3) is provided with at least one friction surface(21) essentially concentric to the bearing pin (6) and that at least onefriction element (10, 11, 12) is provided that rests against thefriction surface (21), and the friction element (10, 11, 12) has abottom linkage point (11 a, 12 a) and a spring-side linkage point (11 c,12 c), where the friction surface (21) is disposed between the bottomlinkage point (11 a, 12 a) and the spring-side linkage point (11 c, 12c), and the bottom linkage point (11 a, 12 a) is coupled to the supportstructure (2) and the second acting side (24 b) of the restoring springsystem (24) acts on the spring-side linkage point (11 c, 12 c) of thefriction element (10, 11, 12).
 2. The accelerator pedal module accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the pedal lever (3) is provided with asecond friction surface (22) essentially concentric to the bearing pin(6) and the accelerator pedal module (1) has a second friction element(12) resting against the second friction surface (22), which frictionelement. (12) has a bottom linkage point (12 a) and spring-side linkagepoint (12 c), and the second friction surface (22) is disposed betweenthe bottom linkage point (12 a) and the spring-side linkage point (12 c)of the second friction element (22), and the second acting side (24 b)of the restoring spring system (24) acts on the spring-side linkagepoint (12 c) of the second friction element (12).
 3. The acceleratorpedal module according to claim 2, characterized in that the spring-sidelinkage point (11 c) of the first friction element (11) and thespring-side linkage point (12 c) of the second friction element (12) areconnected to each other via a crossbar (14).
 4. The accelerator pedalmodule according to claim 3, characterized in that the crossbar (14) isembodied of one piece with the first friction element (11) and thesecond friction element (12).
 5. The accelerator pedal module accordingto claim 3, characterized in that the crossbar (14), the first frictionelement (11), and the second friction element (12) are comprised of anumber of assembled individual parts (10, 11, 12, 14).
 6. Theaccelerator pedal module according to claim 3, characterized in that thecrossbar (14) is articulatingly connected to the at least one frictionelement (11).
 7. The accelerator pedal module according to one of claims3 to 6, characterized in that the restoring spring system (24) acts onthe crossbar (14).
 8. The accelerator pedal module according to claim 1,characterized in that the restoring spring system (24) acts on thespring-side linkage point (11 c) of the at least one friction element(11) via a coupling lever (33) supported on the support structure (2).9. The accelerator pedal module according to claim 8, characterized inthat the coupling lever (33) is connected to the support structure (2)via a one-piece, articulating connection (35).
 10. The accelerator pedalmodule according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the couplinglever (33) is connected to the spring-side linkage point (11 c) of theat least one friction element (11) via a one-piece, articulatingconnection (35).
 11. The accelerator pedal module according to claim 8or 9, characterized in that the coupling lever (33) is rigidly connectedto the spring-side linkage point (11 c) of the at least one frictionelement (11).
 12. An accelerator pedal module for controlling the outputof the driving engine of a motor vehicle, having a pedal lever (3)pivotably supported on a support structure (2) by means of a bearing pin(6), having a sensor (28) that detects an angle position of the pedallever (3) and supplies a corresponding electrical signal to a controlunit, and having a restoring spring system (24) with a first acting side(24 a) and a second acting side (24 b), where in order to restore thepedal lever (3) into a starting position (R), the restoring springsystem (24) engages the support structure (2) with the first acting side(24 a), characterized in that the support structure (2) is provided withat least one friction surface (21) essentially concentric to the bearingpin (6) and that at least one friction element (10, 11, 12) is providedthat rests against the friction surface (21), and the friction element(10, 11, 12) has a bottom linkage point (11 a, 12 a) and a spring-sidelinkage point (11 c, 12 c), where the friction surface (21) is disposedbetween the bottom linkage point (11 a, 12 a) and the spring-sidelinkage point (11 c, 12 c), and the bottom linkage point (11 a, 12 a) iscoupled to the pedal lever (3) and the second acting side (24 b) of therestoring spring system (24) acts on the spring-side linkage point (11c, 12 c) of the friction element (10, 11, 12) (FIG. 9).
 13. Theaccelerator pedal module according to claim 12, characterized in thatthe support structure (2) is provided with a second friction surface(22) essentially concentric to the bearing pin (6) and the acceleratorpedal module (1) has a second friction element (12) resting against thesecond friction surface (22), which friction element (12) has a bottomlinkage point (12 a) and spring-side linkage point (12 c), and thesecond friction surface (22) is disposed between the bottom linkagepoint (12 a) and the spring-side linkage point (12 c) of the secondfriction element (22), and the second acting side (24 b) of therestoring spring system (24) acts on the spring-side linkage point (12c) of the second friction element (12).
 14. The accelerator pedal moduleaccording to claim 13, characterized in that the spring-side linkagepoint (11 c) of the first friction element (11) and the spring-sidelinkage point (12 c) of the second friction element (12) are connectedto each other via a crossbar (14).